Today’s Usage Tip: Vitamins and Minerals for Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis refers to an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent membrane covering the front of the eye. It is also known as sore eyes and is a very common form of eye trouble. It spreads from person to person through direct contact. Overcrowding, dirty surroundings and unhealthy living conditions can cause epidemics of this ailment. The eyeball and under side of the eyelids become inflamed. At first, the eyes are red, dry and burning. Later, there may be a watery secretion. In more serious cases, there is pus formation. During sleep, this material dries, making the lashes stick together. 

The following vitamins are very well-known because of their antioxidant properties. They can cope with free radicals, a factor that can predispose to the appearance of conjunctivitis. Moreover some of these vitamins can aid to enhance the immune system, making our eyes less vulnerable to infections. It is considered that our eyes need vitamin A, C and D five times more that the rest of our organs. 

- Vitamin B for conjunctivitis: With antioxidant and inmune-protective properties. It can be obtained from whole grains (wheat, oats, barley, etc.) Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts) vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, radishes, endive, lettuce ...) etc 

Among all the vitamins of group B, Riboflavin ( Vitamin B2) is the most needed one. A deficiency in this vitamin can produce little adaptation to light or red and swollen eyes. Animal sources of vitamin B2 are milk and dairy products (cheese, yogurt, custard, etc.), Especially low-fat dairy products. It is mainly in the liver and other organ meats, beef and veal, pork, lamb and fish

Rich plant sources of vitamin B2 are spinach, avocado, asparagus, mushrooms, wheat germ, chickpeas, peas, beans, bread, cereals or products made with some cereal (Most of these products contain vitamin B added)

- Vitamin A for conjunctivitis : As well as vitamin B, it can foster our defenses. Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, poor vision, dry eyes, lack of tearing, eye redness or a greater liability to eye infections. Animal foods have the highest proportion, in the liver, egg yolk, in fish, especially oily fish, and butter. 

For those who prefer a vegetal diet can choose from the following plant foods: carrots, purslane, Swiss chard, spinach, watercress, borage , basil, squash, tomatoes, coriander, asparagus, dandelion, peppers, watermelons, melons, sprouts, bananas, apples, plums, oranges , raspberries, currants, mangoes, beans, etc.

 - Vitamin C for conjunctivitis: In addition to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C is needed for the absorption of vitamin A and E. Its deficiency causes a weakness in the capillaries. Vitamin C deficiency makes swollen or injured eyes more difficult to recover. This vitamin is also important for the proper absorption of iron, calcium or other amino acids. 

Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes, tangerines, etc.) are very rich. Other plants that contain a lot of this vitamin are: cauliflower, radishes, brussels sprouts, spinach, bananas, apples, melons, watermelons, carrots, pineapples, pears, papayas, barley, garlic, blackberries, celery, peas, strawberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, grapes, celery, figs, beans, chicory, cranberries, potatoes, avocados, soybeans, custard apples, mangoes, pomegranates, coconuts, etc.

- Vitamin E for conjunctivitis : Vitamin E protects cell membranes from oxidation by protecting fatty acids. A lack of this vitamin produces degenerative changes in the cells of some tissues. In this sense, vitamin E prevents many eye diseases by neutralizing the action of free radicals.

Plants that have this vitamin are vegetable fats: Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, sunflower oil, toasted almonds and olive oil. Other foods with vitamin E are mangoes and avocados.

Minerals for conjunctivitis

-High-calcium containing food for conjunctivitis: Calcium deficiency may be responsible for some inflammatory diseases including conjunctivitis. Legumes contain plenty of calcium. The main animal source of calcium is milk and dairy products (mainly cheese and yogurt). Low-fat dairy products are the best because they contain less fat and more calcium. Moreover, most dairy products are now fortified with calcium . The yogurt is richer than milk, Other foods with a high calcium content are whole grains, particularly oats, or nuts, especially almonds. ( Almond milk has more than twice calcium than cow milk)

- High-magnesium and phosphorous containing food for conjunctivitis: They are very useful because they aid to absorb calcium. Beans, spinach, purslane, or wheat germ are rich in magnesium. Milk and dairy products, fish, egg and chicken are good sources of animal food containing phosphorous. Whole grains or whole bread, lentils or almonds contain a lot of this mineral among the plant foods.

- High- zinc containing food for conjunctivitis: Zinc is necessary for good vision, since it helps the absorption of other components needed for the eyes, such as vitamin A. Milk derivatives, such as cheese or yogurt, are very rich in this mineral. We can also find it in red meats.

Among the main vegetable food we can distinguish celery, asparagus, borage, figs, potatoes, eggplant, etc.

- High - selenium containing food for conjunctivitis: Selenium, as well as zinc, helps the absorption of other components need for the eyes, such as vitamin E. Seafood provides a great deal of selenium.

Among the plant foods we have rice, wheat, oats or their derivatives, such as bread or pasta. Other food rich in this mineral are: squash, barley, grapes, garlic, peaches, corn, soybean, pistachios, Brazil nuts, asparagus or spinach. 

Anthocyanidins for conjunctivitis

The work of these flavonoids specifically focuses on the repair of retinal nerve cells. They also increase blood flow, which brings more nutrients to the eye for the protection of collagen and faster production of rhodopsin, a protein in the rods of the retina responsible for capturing the light. Among the most important ones we can consider lutein and zeaxanthin

Foods high in these anthocyanidins are blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, plums, eggplant, purple cabbage, etc.

Essential fatty oils for conjunctivitis

Essential fatty acids (Vitamin F) (omega acids group) prevent macular degeneration and help in the formation of vitamin A from carotenes. They are linoleic acid ( LA = omega 6) and alpha linolenic acid (= omega 3).

Apart from the blue fish ( salmon, sardine, mackerel, tuna, etc) there are some vegetable food that can provide them. The first can be obtained primarily from soybean oil, sunflower, corn oil and wheat germ, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. The second is obtained primarily from linseed oil, rapeseed and soy, whole grains, vegetables, pumpkin seeds or nuts.